I've also heard it mentioned that Polina Shelepen WD early enough to allow Nagasu to get the spot providing that the US Federation doesn't WD Czisny. The extent to which you believe that is entirely dependent on the extent to which you want to, imo.

I love the idea that Osmond is such a threat to Japanese, American and Russian skaters that the Japanese fed is afraid to have her skate at NHK!

Not saying that I necessarily believe the above conspiracy theory. But the idea of big bad scary Osmond tickles. Hope it further ups her cred with the international judges.

Originally Posted by drivingmissdaisy

I doubt this is the case. I don't think any federation is afraid of Kaetlyn at this point, as she has only skated one good event internationally. And I agree the USFSA isn't that calculated, especially when they can't even properly manage their own athletes' condition.

I don't buy the notion/conspiracy that there's this big, concerted effort across multiple federations to keep Osmond out of GPF contention after what she did at SC. But I have to admit the thought is entertaining...

I think the delay is all on Team Czisny in this case...possibly USFS as well if they're ultimately in charge of notifying NHK, but no more IMO.

If it is Osmond that would ultimately get Czisny's spot if she pulled out, between us I'm not in any particular hurry, although it still doesn't make it right if Czisny is purposefully delaying.

They wouldn't give it to Osmond (#47 on the world ranking list) anyway. They could go with Hecken (#29), McCorkell (#35), or Glebova (#36), all of whom have only 1 spot.

Burykova, #62, is already scheduled for NHK as her second event, the first being Cup of China. Now that's what I call politicking! .

They should go back to the original idea of the Gand Prix. Six separate events, then the winners of those events meet in the winner-take-all final. (The only problem was that in the first one, in 1995-96, there were only five events and the same lady won three of them.)

I think Czisny wants to compete. I think if she can't compete, she's gonna make that decision at the last possible minute, as you'd expect of any athlete with willpower and love of what they do. She's not thinking of Osmond or her federation, and I can't think of a reason she should (yes, I'm fine with her competing at Worlds last season).

I think Czisny wants to compete. I think if she can't compete, she's gonna make that decision at the last possible minute, as you'd expect of any athlete with willpower and love of what they do. She's not thinking of Osmond or her federation...

Yes, but the debate is whether the team and/or the federation should intervene when there's stuff on the line. Of course the athlete is going to want to play/compete, and will hobble out there if necessary. The NBA and NFL have new rules now, I believe, that mandate clearance from a doctor for any player who has sustained a concussion before they can play again.

Again, you cannot rely on the athlete to make the right call. You *must* have outside folks with a less partial view to assess the situation and determine whether it's OK/worth the risk/etc. At least some of them should be in the medical field (familiar with the type of injury sustained).